She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 119 - 118 Ye Xinyan is Harmless Now

Chapter 119: Chapter 118 Ye Xinyan is Harmless Now

Ye Xinyan was pondering the tasks that lay ahead, while Liu Qing, with a curious mood, took Ye Xinyan’s two documents and returned to His Highness Prince Yu to report.

Jinrong did not express surprise or astonishment at the documents issued by Ye Xinyan like Liu Qing did. He didn’t examine the two documents in detail, but simply listened to a brief account of the situation and the content of the documents from Liu Qing.

Jinrong asked, "You have been a steward for many years, in your opinion, is Lady Qi’s preparation for the cattle farm reasonable? Is there a possibility of success?"

After a moment of thought, Liu Qing reported truthfully, "Replying to Sixth Master, although I have never dealt with livestock breeding, looking at Lady Qi’s document... it seems thorough and prudent. It appears that Lady Qi has also never engaged in this business, and although the document is already very detailed, the cattle farm should still start on a small scale, stabilize it, and then gradually expand. I think it’s feasible."

As Jinrong listened, he unconsciously nodded. Of course, Ye Xinyan had never dealt with animal husbandry; in fact, she hadn’t done anything before and was still leading her family to earn money for their livelihood. This was precisely the aspect that perplexed Jinrong - could a major life change truly transform someone’s character and intellect so drastically?

"It’s just that..." Liu Qing didn’t know what his lord had in mind for Lady Qi and hesitated whether to continue.

"Just what?" Jinrong asked.

With gritted teeth, Liu Qing said, "I did not examine Lady Qi’s own document in detail; however, if it’s as Lady Qi says, and she doesn’t allow you, Sixth Master, to intervene in the daily affairs of the cattle farm, that seems somewhat inappropriate." His tone was already very implicit, it wasn’t just inappropriate—it was downright ignorant arrogance.

"I understand. You’ve done a good job. You may leave now." Jinrong nodded and dismissed Liu Qing.

Jiang Yifan was disturbed once more by Jinrong and thus had to put down his administrative documents and return to the county government office’s back yard to review the two documents issued by Ye Xinyan.

After reading them several times, he threw them back to Jinrong, unable to articulate how he felt about them.

"Bull farming is a very good idea, and if done well, is extremely beneficial for the farming across the realm. Her thoughts are also good. But what puzzles me is, with the status and influence of you, the Sixth Master, why would you insist on using a woman who has been pampered and not accustomed to hard work to manage the business? Moreover, Ye Xinyan has explicitly stated that others are not to interfere with the daily operations of the cattle farm. We all know that she has not done any work before, nor has she any experience in management. If she ruins what could be a very good thing, the delay will count for more than just Silver Coin; it will be a waste of time. How will you explain that then?"

For Jiang Yifan and Jinrong, a little Silver was nothing. Especially for Jinrong, as a prince, his annual income was substantial. Moreover, since he didn’t participate in conflicts among princes, he was involved in many profitable industries and trades. Without the need to spend Silver to cultivate power or curry favor, with only inflows and no outflows, he had an abundance of Silver on hand.

However, time cares not for one’s status; once lost, it cannot be reclaimed. Cattle farming is not an overnight success, and its greatest investment is time. If the cattle farm managed by Ye Xinyan fails miserably, at the minimum, one to two years will have been wasted, or possibly even three to five years. Who will make up for this time?

Jinrong, in a measured tone, put away the document and spoke slowly, "Miss Ye made it clear, under the condition that the farm’s operation doesn’t encounter any strategic oversights, the patron should not interfere. Ye Xinyan’s document outlines the specific items and details for the initial investment, which isn’t much, just six hundred taels. What, your Jiang Family can’t even afford three hundred taels of Silver?"

With a dismissive glance at Jiang Yifan, Jinrong said, "If you’re afraid of wasting time and don’t want to entrust the project to Ye Xinyan, then find someone else and set up another cattle farm. Considering that Ye Xinyan no longer has the backing of the Duke’s Mansion, even if you use her ideas, she’s unlikely to come to you making a fuss or demanding justice."

Jiang Yifan was left speechless for a while, then replied irritably after some time, "Does the Sixth Master intend to treat serious matters as a joke, just to enjoy the show? Is that what I’m saying?"

To be fair, he highly approved of Ye Xinyan’s ideas for the cattle farm. But this did not mean that a delicate lady, brought up in a wealthy household in the capital, could handle such an important matter carefully and well.

Although Jinrong continued to speak in an indifferent tone, the content of his words was markedly different, "I just noticed that Ye Xinyan behaves very differently from the past and is extremely efficient and adept at handling things. I want to see just how different she can be, how much she can achieve. Besides, this woman’s ideas and methods are very unique and quite ingenious. I am willing to use such a capable manager to create a different kind of structure, regardless of gender."

"Furthermore," Jinrong paused, then asked, "I just want to know, if you were to assign this task to your counsel or to your most capable manager, how long would it take for them to present you with an acceptable plan?"

Jiang Yifan furrowed his brows. If he were to find someone else to set up a cattle farm, he feared that an acceptable plan wouldn’t materialize in less than ten days or half a month, and it might even take longer. As of now, no one could compare to Ye Xinyan’s efficiency and decisiveness.

Moreover, what concerned him was that from Jinrong’s previous remarks, he sensed that Jinrong had special plans for Ye Xinyan. It wasn’t just about making the nobles of the capital look foolish that Jinrong insisted on hiring Ye Xinyan. From the looks of it, he intended to bring Ye Xinyan under Prince Yu’s wing.

Jiang Yifan detested Ye Xinyan, as he had in the past, and still did now. However, he couldn’t deny the current Ye Xinyan was harmless. Her identity was sensitive, while Jinrong’s every move was closely scrutinized. If things continued this way, it wouldn’t take long for Ye Xinyan to enter the radar of various forces in the capital, with unpredictable consequences.

Jinrong went on in his casual manner, "You are a pragmatic man. From what Ye Xinyan has done since she left the capital, one can clearly see her abilities, which are not like the idle and pampered existence we imagine. Let’s not dwell on that. Are the two documents from Ye Xinyan feasible in your eyes? If there are no problems, I plan to sign the documents with her and instruct the accounting office to provide her with the funds. If you really don’t want to get involved with her, not taking a stake in the enterprise is fine too; I will not insist."

To Jinrong, Jiang Yifan was a talented and capable man. Just by looking at how Jiang Yifan had, upon taking office in Qingyuan County, quickly rectified the chaotic county administration left by his predecessor and reined in the unruly subordinates, it was evident that the man had unlimited potential. Jinrong was willing to have a heartfelt collaboration with him.

But if Jiang Yifan detested Ye Xinyan to the point of absolute loathing, as a friend, Jinrong, of course, could not force Jiang Yifan to employ Ye Xinyan in another patron’s capacity.